Spurs Thrilled to Have Refs Back

Tim Duncan and company can’t wait to see Joey Crawford’s non-smiling face again: “Spurs players have been diplomatic about the job the NBA’s replacement referees have done this pre-season, but they were unanimous in their delight at news reports about a tentative agreement that will bring the members of the National Basketball Referees Association back to the court by the opening game of the season … ‘If the officials have reached an agreement, I say, ‘Good for them.’ Spurs captain Tim Duncan said. ‘I’ll be very happy to have them back, and I mean that from my heart.’ Roger Mason Jr., who called Friday’s 62-foul, 78-free throw game against the Cavaliers an evening of frustration, was most emphatic about the pending agreement. ‘If that’s true, I’m ecstatic,’ he said. ‘That’s the best news I’ve heard today.”‘